Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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169. To ask the Minister for Health the additional supports that will be put in place to ensure quick and local access to PCR testing given the level of additional needs of the service users of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59156/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Testing and contact-tracing continues to be a key component of the Government’s response to the pandemic.

The HSE operates testing centres for COVID-19 at locations all round the country. A person who requires a test can book online through the HSE or by contacting a GP. If there are no test appointments available online at that time for their local area, they should check again later as appointments become available throughout the day. If anybody who has symptoms has concerns about booking a test, they should contact their GP. With the current high demand, the HSE is prioritising those who are clinically referred and symptomatic close contacts.

Further information on getting a HSE COVID-19 PCR test is available as follows: www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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170. To ask the Minister for Health if the unavailability of PCR testing is attributable to supply shortages. [59157/21]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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173. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated level of staffing, funding and resources that would need to be mobilised to allow for PCR testing centres to operate on a 24-hour basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59160/21]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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174. To ask the Minister for Health the maximum testing capacity for PCR testing and antigen testing of the health service; and if there are plans to expand this capacity. [59161/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170, 173 and 174 together.

Testing and contact-tracing continues to be a key component of the Government’s response to the pandemic.

Demand for testing at this time is very high, with over 214,000 tests conducted in the last seven days. This demand on the testing and tracing system is due to the high level of infection in communities that we are currently experiencing.

The HSE is making every effort necessary to address the very significant demand arising for PCR testing. This includes making arrangements with private providers to add additional capacity, extending opening hours of swabbing centres, ongoing recruitment and redeployment to swabbing teams and doubling the number of National Ambulance Service mobile teams. The HSE is also exploring options for engagement with further private testing services. There are currently no plans to operate PCR testing on a 24-hour basis and therefore no estimates have been calculated as to potential costs.

These measures have increased the base community PCR capacity from 15,000 to 25,000 tests per day. Including acute hospital capacity, the HSE is now able to deliver 29,500 tests a day.

People using the self-referral online portal to book a test may find, at times, that no appointments are available. Appointments do become available at various times during the day so people should try again later. If anybody who has symptoms has concerns about booking a test, they should contact their GP. With this very high demand, the HSE is prioritising those who are clinically referred and symptomatic close contacts.

It is important to reiterate the public health advice that anybody who has symptoms of Covid-19 waiting for a test, should continue to self-isolate until they are at least 48 hours’ symptom free. This should minimize any impact where a person may have to wait a number of days for a test.

The role of testing and contact tracing, as part of the wider public health response, has been under ongoing review throughout the pandemic and will continue to be reviewed and amended in line with the epidemiological profile of the disease, its impact on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population and ECDC guidance.